Seth Lugo and Joe Ryan: Trade Deadline Surprises Await

The MLB trade deadline is almost here, and as usual, the rumor mill is in overdrive. This time, though, the market for starting pitchers feels especially barren.

Big names like Paul Skenes, Chris Sale, and Freddy Peralta aren’t going anywhere. So, the chatter’s shifted to guys like Seth Lugo and Joe Ryan, but no one’s sure if they’re even available. The Marlins have some rotation depth, but overall, there just aren’t many impactful arms out there. Honestly, it’s shaping up to be a weird, unpredictable trade season.

A Scarce Market for Elite Starters

If you’re hoping for an ace to hit the market, this year’s deadline is disappointing. Paul Skenes, the rookie sensation, isn’t moving. Chris Sale’s locked in too. Freddy Peralta? He’s not going anywhere either.

That leaves teams looking at more middle-of-the-pack options. Seth Lugo with the Royals and Joe Ryan from the Twins are getting the most attention, for better or worse.

Lugo and Ryan: The Most Talked-About Options

Seth Lugo’s in a tricky spot as the deadline approaches. The Royals want to buy, but Lugo has a player opt-out, so he could bolt in the offseason. That puts pressure on Kansas City—they don’t want to lose him for nothing.

It’s not clear if the Royals will actually trade him. They’re still weighing whether to push for the playoffs or cash in on his value now.

Joe Ryan’s situation is just as interesting, but a bit of a long shot. The Twins control him for two more years, so they don’t have much reason to let him go. Plus, the Twins can’t seem to decide if they’re buyers or sellers, so trade rumors around Ryan feel more like speculation than anything serious.

The Twins’ Dilemma: Buy, Sell, or Both?

The Twins are honestly one of the more interesting teams this deadline. They’re floating in the middle of the standings, not sure which way to lean.

Trading Joe Ryan probably won’t happen, but the Twins might consider moving bullpen arms. Closer Jhoan Durán, with his 102 mph fastball, would draw a ton of interest. A deal for him could help the Twins reset for the future and maybe fix a few things right now.

Hard Decisions for the Royals

The Royals are in a tough spot too. Lugo’s opt-out could force their hand and turn them into sellers, even if that wasn’t the original plan. He’s been steady all season, so letting him go would hurt.

Still, if they think he’ll leave in free agency, getting something back makes sense. It’s a tough call, no question.

The Marlins Add Intrigue to the Market

If any team could shake up the starter market, it’s probably the Marlins. Sandy Alcantara, last year’s Cy Young winner, is most likely staying put. But Edward Cabrera is getting some buzz.

Cabrera just rattled off seven starts with a 1.46 ERA. If the Marlins decide to sell, he might be the best arm available.

Thin Supply, Soaring Demand

Teams searching for rotation help are running into a wall. There just aren’t enough good starters out there.

Even guys like Lugo and Ryan, who might not usually be headline-grabbers, are suddenly hot topics. The Marlins’ pile of young pitchers makes them a bit of a wild card, but it’s anyone’s guess if they’ll actually make a big move.

Expect Unpredictability at the Deadline

The lack of elite starters might crank up the price for just about any arm, not just the big names. Buyers could end up scrambling and outbidding each other over mid-tier pitchers.

If the Royals or Twins even hint that Lugo or Ryan are up for grabs, you can bet teams will come calling. Miami could shake up the entire market if they decide to dangle any of their rotation pieces.

With the deadline creeping closer, nobody really knows what’s coming next. Teams have to weigh their playoff dreams against the risk of losing a key player in free agency, or maybe just hanging on too long and missing out.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Seth Lugo, Joe Ryan are trade deadline mysteries in limited market…